theories on relationships: social exchange theory

Question 1

in essay what 5 things do you speak about in social exchange theory?

Answer 1

1. what is social exchange theory and who made it up?
2. what is comparison level
3. what is alternatives
4. what are stages of relationship development
5. evaluation.

Question 2

who made social exchange theory?
what is maximum principle?
where does exchange come from?

Answer 2

Thibault and Kelley (1959)
1. people try to maximise the rewards they obtain from a relationship and minimise cost
2. the exchange comes from the rewards they receive in relationship, and they feel obliged to reciprocate it.

Question 3

what is comparison level

Answer 3

how satisfied people are with rewards and cost in their relationship. comparison comes from previous relationships and social norms around us like media and other people’s relationships.
- if the current relationship was better than past relationship, they are more motivated to stay in relationship.

Question 4

comparison level of alternative?

Answer 4

the level of satisfaction also depends on cost and rewards if we were in a relationship with another person for e.g could i do better
- if the cost outweighs their rewards then there might be better alternatives.

Question 5

what are 4 stages of relationship development?
use your acronym

Answer 5

sampling: we look at cost and rewards in variety of relationships

bargaining: couples discuss and agree with the rewards and cost in relationship

commitment: couples settle in relationship and exchange of rewards become fairly predictable.

institutionalisation: norms and expectations are established.

Question 6

evaluation
2 weakness
1 strength

Answer 6

1. fails to take account of fairness between them which leads to equity rather than constant seeking of profits.
2. assumes that people monitor their relationships. duck and argyle 1994 state that people only considered alternatives once they are dissatisfied with their own one.
3. explains abusive relationships for e.g investment high such as (children and financial security) and alternatives are low (nowhere to live, no money) then this a profit as abused will stay with abusive partner.